NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 12, 2012.

Roundup of last night’s opening round games, updated storylines of those series set to start tonight, Sabres to retain Regier as GM and Ruff as head coach, and Avalanche coach Sacco gets two year contract extension.

Briere clearly offside prior to scoring key goal for Flyers.

CSNPHILLY/PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: The Philadelphia Flyers rallied from a 3-0 first period deficit to upset the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in overtime. Their first goal was controversial, however, as Daniel Briere was clearly off-side, but they caught a break, and their rally was well-earned. One reason the Penguins fell was they failed to click on the power-play, going 0-3 in the game.

THE TENNESSEAN/MLIVE.COM: The Nashville Predators downed the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in a tough, physical, well-paced game which could be a harbinger of what’s to come in this series. The end of the game was marred, however, by Predators defenseman Shea Weber ramming Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Kings drew first blood in their series against the Vancouver Canucks with a 4-2 victory, led by Mike Richards (goal, 2 assists) and Jeff Carter (2 assists). Much-maligned Dustin Penner got the game winner on a nice soccer-style assist from Carter, while Jonathan Quick made 24 saves in the victory. Details on the Canucks side in “Canadian Corner”.

WASHINGTON POST/BOSTON GLOBE: The Capitals go into their series against the Boston Bruins as the underdogs, while the Bruins announced yesterday forward Nathan Horton will miss the entire playoffs to a concussion.

STLTODAY.COM/MERCURYNEWS.COM: With Brian Elliott sidelined by an upper body injury, there’s no question Jaroslav Halak will start Game One in goal for the Blues, while the low expectations for the San Jose Sharks might work in their favor in this series.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES/ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Jonathan Toews appears a go for the Blackhawks in their series opener against the Coyotes, who are ready for the intensity of the playoffs and the series against Chicago.

NJ.COM/MIAMI HERALD: Rising Devils David Clarkson and Adam Henrique could have the spotlight in their series against the Florida Panthers, who hope to draw on the experience of Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanovski to continue bolstering Florida’s already strong defense.

NEW YORK POST: Recently signed prospect Chris Kreider practiced with the NY Rangers, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be playing in their upcoming series against the Ottawa Senators. For more on the Senators, go to “Canadian Corner”.

BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres will not be firing GM Darcy Regier or head coach Lindy Ruff, which isn’t likely to sit well with critics who believe the Sabres are in need of changes in the front office and behind the bench.

DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche have signed head coach Joe Sacco to a two-year contract extension.

4 Comments

Innovator
on April 12, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Loved the Tweet from the kings account last night.

“To everyone in Canada outside of BC, you’re welcome.”

manwithnoname
on April 12, 2012 at 6:49 pm

The Flyers first goal was clearly offside, but the Pens 3rd goal was clearly an icing. take those goals both away, Flyers win.

JJB
on April 12, 2012 at 6:51 pm

Which answers the great ‘debate’ of who is Canada’s team also! No BC Canada was probably (mostly) cheering Kings!

CoachBowman_2003
on April 12, 2012 at 10:38 pm

No doubt Pittsburgh took the foot off the metal.But,that missed call, made the officials on the ice a determining factor in the game.

Yes, the Flyers came back,they put in the effort,no doubt. Would that effort had been there, if the goal had been called back, what would of been the framemind on the Philadelphia bench ? It’s an answer we will never get.

This call could have an effect on the rest of this series and the others.As the officials, will be watching these kinds of plays even closer. It will be interesting how the league and the teams manage this situation.

Hopefully, it won’t ruin what was promising to be interesting playoffs.

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